Pacific Northwest

February, 2010
Regional Report

Books

Taylor's Guide to RosesTaylor's Guide to Roses (Houghton Mifflin, 2002; $23) is one of my favorite reference books. It contains an encyclopedia entry for hundreds of rose varieties, including species roses, old garden roses, shrubs, hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, and climbers. The pest and disease chart is helpful, and the book is inspiring to read, whether you want a single carefree bush or maintain a whole garden of perfect roses.

Clever Gardening Technique

Sticky Traps for Indoor Pests
If you and your plants are bothered by the hordes of tiny, flying black gnats that hang around houseplants and newly emerging seedlings, you can control these pests with a simple homemade recipe. Make your own sticky traps by using bright yellow, 3- by 5-inch index cards, smearing them with petroleum jelly, and propping them up around your plants. Adult flies are drawn to the bright yellow color, land, and become hopelessly stuck on the surfaces of the cards. Replace as needed. It really works!